Coronavirus: governments knew a pandemic was a threat – here’s why they weren’t better prepared

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Coronavirus: governments knew a pandemic was a threat – here’s why they weren’t better prepared

The conversation

The Conversation

Zinc sulphate sprayer influenza pandemic 2
Using a zinc sulphate sprayer during the 1918 influenza pandemic. It is suggested governments were unprepared for the coronavirus pandemic because people have little memory of previous pandemics

By Chris Tyler of University College London and Sir Peter Gluckman of the Centre for Informed Futures

Most people think or at least hope their government is doing a good job in the face of COVID-19, according to the polls. But there can be no doubt tha